The Greens policy for the NSW election is divisive, and would have a devastating effect on the ability and right to choose a religious school, argues Stephen O'Doherty.

By shining a light on the per-student funding of all schools for the first time, the MySchool website should take a lot of the angst and nonsense out of the public funding debate.

After several decades of partially funded choice, Australia has achieved a relatively harmonious and workable sense of partnership in delivering school education to the nation’s children.

MySchool shows that, by and large, students from disadvantaged areas receive more support from public funds than those from wealthier areas. Students in government schools receive more taxpayer support than those in non-government schools. Those in non-government schools serving richer areas receive the least government funding. And funding does not depend on your religious view. Funding is ‘blind’ to the issue of faith, as it should be. Religious schools receive funding based on their status as non-state schools – not because they are religious per se.

Most Australians agree with the broad principles that underpin funded choice, and freedom of religion in school choice, as do most mainstream political parties.

Not, however, the NSW Greens.

Analysis of the NSW Greens education policy shows it to be based on jaundiced ideology and anti-religious bias. While it would cut funding to students in every non-government school, it singles out for special treatment those who choose a religious education. The effect on religious school funding would be devastating – perhaps terminal. Only the rich would be able to choose a religious education for their children. How does that serve the public good?

Funding aside, the Greens policy would also undermine the legal basis on which religious schools can ensure integrity between faith and practice, by removing long-standing provisions of the Anti-discrimination Act that ensure freedom of religious expression.

The direction of public policy in Australia is towards finding a suitable way to equitably fund the national effort to educate all Australian children.

The Greens policy is contrary to the reasonable direction of Australian education policy, unnecessarily divisive and detrimental to a large percentage of Australians (around one third) who currently seek a religious education for their children.

People of faith, or who value religious freedom, should think very carefully before allocating their vote to the NSW Greens.

One page analysis of the Greens policy

Responsibility for election comment is taken by S O'Doherty, 5 Byfield St Macquarie Park NSW